More than just a camera, the Aqara G3 is the guardian of your home

The Aqara Camera Hub G3 is not just any security camera; it's a comprehensive smart home device packed with advanced features. With the ability to detect people, animals, and even recognize faces, the G3's detection capabilities are impressive. One standout feature is its ability to automatically adjust its view to point at a triggered sensor, overcoming a common limitation of other pan and tilt cameras that might be facing the wrong direction when an event occurs.

Aqara camera hub G3: A unique design and versatile functionality

The Aqara camera hub G3 made an impression at first sight with its cute little cat ears. 

When privacy mode is activated, the camera lens rolls up out of sight, revealing two small sleeping eyes. This clever design not only ensures privacy but also adds a touch of personality to the device. You can set up the privacy mode based on your routine easily in Aqara app.

Aqara camera hub G3 in operating mode (normal using)

Aqara camera hub G3 with sleeping eyes in privacy mode

With the camera up, its ‘mouth’ is a microSD card slot, which can take a card of up to 128GB in size for offline recording.

Positioning a security camera can be challenging, but the camera hub G3's pan and tilt capabilities make it easier. It can move 340 degrees horizontally, 30 degrees upward, and 15 degrees downward. Coupled with its 110-degree field of view, the G3 can cover an entire room effectively.

Aqara camera hub G3: An in-depth look at its features

At its core, the Aqara camera hub G3 functions as a security camera, offering essential features you'd expect. The live view allows you to see what the camera sees, use two-way talk, and move the camera to focus on specific areas.

Pre-defined and customizable positions

The camera offers pre-defined positions (leftmost, rightmost, and centermost), which can be useful but are somewhat basic. However, you can add custom locations for specific areas, such as doors or windows, making it more practical for everyday use.

While the camera doesn’t automatically return to a 'home' position after a set period, this isn’t as problematic as it is with other pan and tilt cameras, like the Nooie Cam 360. The Cruise option allows the camera to move along a selected path automatically.

Human and animal detection

The Aqara Camera Hub G3 includes several detection options, including onboard facial recognition. Once you upload photos of household members, the camera can recognize them automatically. Additionally, the camera can detect people, cats, and dogs. You can configure when each detection type is active, whether to record video, and if you want to receive push notifications.

Generic motion detection is also available, allowing you to set an activity zone. However, given the camera's ability to move, activity zones may not always be useful.

You can enable Human Tracking or Dogs and Cats Tracking, but not both simultaneously. With these options, the camera will follow a detected person or animal, keeping them in the frame.

Aqara camera hub G3: Automation and integration

Using the Automation tab within the Aqara system, you can perform clever tasks, such as having the camera automatically turn towards a door when a window/door sensor is triggered.

Alternatively, you can configure the mini switch so that a single click activates privacy mode for the camera. It would be more convenient if there were a toggle option, but as it stands, you need to set one click for privacy mode and a double-click to resume recording.

Gesture and facial recognition

If you prefer not to use physical controls, gesture recognition is an option, although enabling this feature disables facial, people, and animal recognition. With five available hand gestures, such as the 'V for victory,' you can initiate automations, like turning on cat and dog tracking.

You can also set up automations using facial recognition, such as sending a notification when a specific person arrives home.

Basic alarm system

The Aqara Camera Hub G3 can function as a basic alarm system with modes for Home, Away, and Night. You can customize which sensors are active for each mode and set an entry delay to give you time to disarm the system.

While the siren in the camera is not particularly loud and doesn't offer the comprehensive features of a full-fledged smart security system like the Ring Alarm, it can serve as a useful backup.

Integration with other platforms

In addition to using its native app, the Aqara Camera Hub G3 is HomeKit compliant, including HomeKit Secure Video. This allows you to use all the sensors in the Apple Home app and securely record video to your iCloud account.

The camera also supports Amazon Alexa, enabling you to use compatible sensors in Alexa Routines and stream video to a compatible smart display. With Google Assistant, you can stream the live feed to a smart display, although it does not support automations.

Aqara also offers extensive IFTTT integration, allowing you to trigger applets based on sensor activity or motion detection by the camera.